BY SAUL BERRIOS-THOMAS | STAFF WRITER
WESLACO — Weslaco East sophomore running back Giovanni Guerra grew up in what he described as a “tough neighborhood” in Weslaco.
He had a view of the street life and, at first, he though it was appealing. Almost none of his friends growing up were involved in any kind of organized sports, but Guerra had undeniable physical gifts, so he started playing football when he was young.
“What helped me out with football was playing in the neighborhood with all the kids,” Guerra said. “That made me tough. We would go at it. Sometimes, we would even get into fights. That helped me get a little dog in me. That’s what East football is all about.”
Guerra realized he had speed, and so did some of his friends, but he was still torn between two worlds.
His speed was what pushed him back into football.
“My friends were playing, and they called me saying that they needed a running back. They needed someone fast,” Guerra recalled. “I wasn’t very good at first, but I stuck with it, and seventh grade was when I really started to get good — well, all right.”
Guerra joined the football team in middle school, where he met coach Rolando Ramos.
Guerra was hooked, and his relationship with Ramos was strengthened when he started on Ramos’ freshman team at East.
“I give a lot of credit to coach Ramos. He helped me out a lot and helped me get to where I am today,” Guerra said. “He helped me out with ripping, getting my knees up. Once I feel someone’s arm coming, he helped train me to tuck that ball. Get it away from the defender.”
On Friday night during East’s district opener, Guerra scored twice to lead the Wildcats (2-2, 1-0) past Donna North (0-5, 0-1) 56-6.
“Our O-line, they kept blocking and got us this dub,” junior fullback Randy Cardoza said. “Shouts to them. They never stop working.”
Guerra, who rushed for 109 yards on seven carries, also credited the offensive line.
“They were tremendous tonight. I give a lot of credit to them,” Guerra said. “They helped not only me, but the other backs, as well. The fullbacks also help us out a lot.”
Guerra had more reps to fill the gap left by injured junior running back Josh Gonzalez, a close friend of Guerra.
“He was happy for me to get more touches,” Guerra said of Gonzalez. “He was one of the guys who made me feel comfortable right away, and we have been tight ever since.”
Weslaco East coach Mike Burget said Gonzalez will be ready to go for East’s next game Thursday at Edinburg High.
Guerra was dominant in freshman ball, and Burget couldn’t wait to see what he could do at the varsity level.
“He ran for well over 2,000 yards, and (the freshman team) went 9-1 last year,” Burget said. “He is an explosive kid. He is a kid that works very hard. … He is a very unselfish kid. He doesn’t mind sharing the ball with those guys.”
Guerra experienced his welcome-to-varsity moment right away, as East started the season by traveling to San Antonio to face a Manor team that boasted college prospects throughout the defense.
“I felt like I was ready, but they were some big boys,” Guerra said. “I felt a hit early on that knocked my air out, but I got back up and I was ready for the ball again.”
Guerra has shined, forcing himself into the lineup.
“When you throw him in against a Manor, a Laredo Alexander and a Harlingen (High), coming off of freshman ball, his eyes were big,” Burget said. “But he still averaged 10 yards a carry against those three teams.”
Donna North gave Weslaco East more than expected. The Chiefs caught the Wildcats off guard with a forced fumble on a punt play, a recovered onside kick and a rushing touchdown from senior quarterback Jesus Lagunes, all in the first half.
“I don’t think we played a very good first half,” Burget said. “I don’t think we played a very disciplined first half, which upsets me a lot. Weslaco East football has always been very disciplined. We lost a little bit in the first half on a late hit and an onside kick.”
Senior running back Andy Delgado, who started Friday, found the end zone three times to go with 108 rushing yards.
Ramsey Vasquez and Randy Cardoza each scored touchdowns, as well, allowing East to run away with the game.
“That was big for our program,” Cardoza said. “We had a little bit of a tough start, so to come back and get our first district win, it feels good.”
Junior fullback Jacob Carrasco also made his home debut this season after going down with an injury in the preseason and missing East’s first two games.
“It feels really good. I am really happy to be back,” Carrasco said. “It killed me not being out there with the boys. I worked really hard to get back. I would run every day. I would go to the weight room every day. After that, go get treatment.”
“Big ol’ No. 36,” Cardoza said of Carrasco. “He’s my fullback. He’s my ride or die.”
“Carrasco and Cardoza were our starters last year,” Burget said. “They both work extremely hard. They are both really unselfish. They block for those tailbacks.”
East is getting healthier each week, and the depth really shows in the backfield.
“Andy Delgado started today. He is a very explosive guy,” Burget said. “And then we have Russell Garza. With Josh also in that mix, we feel like we have a bunch of running backs, but we just have to keep getting better at that position.”
Guerra is a big part of that talented backfield, and the sky is the limit for him during his first full season on varsity. He said football was his way out of the pitfalls that surrounded him growing up.
“I used to be like those kids from the neighborhood,” Guerra said. “I was out here doing this and that, but seventh grade, I got into football, and it helped me out a lot. Not only on the field, but with my grades, and as a person. My character changed through football.”